Three-component catalyst containing polymeric methyl halide metal reaction product and titanium compound for olefin polymerization



United States Patent 3,397,196 THREE-COMPONENT CATALYST CONTAINING POLYMERIC METHYL HALIDE METAL REAC- TIUN PRODUCT AND TITANIUM COMPOUND FOR QLEFIN POLYMERIZATIDN Newton H. Shearer, Jr., and Harry W. Coover, Jr., Kingsport, Tenn., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Continuation of application Ser. No. 473,523, July 20, 1965. This application Mar. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 624,626

13 Claims. (Cl. 26093.7)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A catalyst for the preparation of solid crystalline polymer from alpha-olefins containing 3 to carbon atoms which comprises the polymer resulting from the reaction of a methylene halide with a metal from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc and magnesium, a titanium compound and an ester.

This application is a continuation application of Ser. No. 473,523, filed July 20, 1965, and now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 154,847, filed Nov. 24, 1961, and now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of our copending application, Ser. No. 549,868, filed Nov. 29, 1955 and now abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of our copending application, Ser. No. 724,919, filed Mar. 31, 1958, and now US. Patent 3,018,278.

This invention relates to a new and improved polymerization process and is particularly concerned with the use of a novel catalyst combination for preparing high molecular weight solid polyolefins, such as polypropylene, of high density and crystallinity. In a particular aspect the invention is concerned with the preparation of polypropylene and higher polyolefins using a particular catalyst combination which has unexpected catalytic activity and which gives products characterized by unusually high crystallinity, softening point, thermal stability, stilfness and being substantially free of non-crystalline polymers.

Polyethylene has been prepared by high pressure processes to give relatively flexible polymers having a rather high degree of chain branching and a density considerably lower than the theoretical density. Thus, pressures of the order of 500 atmospheres or more and usually of the order of 1000 to 1500 atmospheres are commonly employed. It has been found that more dense polyethylenes can be produced by certain catalyst combinations to give polymers which have very little chain branching and a high degree of crystallinity. The exact reason why certain catalyst combinations give these highly dense and highly crystalline polymers is not readily understood. Furthermore, the activity of the catalysts ordinarily depends upon certain specific catalyst combinations, and the results are ordinarily highly unpredictable since relatively minor changes in the catalyst combination often lead to liquid polymers rather than the desired solid polymers.

In application Ser. No. 549,868 we have described the polymerization of u-olefinic hydrocarbons in the presence of a catalyst containing a titanium compound and the polymeric reaction product of a methylene halide with a metal from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc and magnesium. Such catalysts are quite effective for polymerizing ethylene to form a solid crystalline product. However, when such catalysts are used to polymerize propylene and higher a-olefinic hydrocarbons, the product is predominantly polymeric oils and rubbers with a comparatively small amount of high molecular weight, crystalline product. These facts indicate that one cannot predict whether a specific catalyst combination will be effective to produce crystalline, high density polymers with specific a-olefins and that, when a crystalline product is desired, the above catalysts are inadequate for polymerizing propylene and higher a-olefins.

This invention is concerned with and has for an object the provision of improved processes whereby a-monoolefins and particularly propylene and higher u-olefins can be readily polymerized by catalytic means to give high molecular weight, highly crystalline polymers. A particular object of the invention is to provide a catalyst combination which has unexpected catalytic activity for the polymerization of a-monoolefins to form crystalline high density polymers. Other objects will be apparent from the description and claims which follow.

These and other objects which will be apparent from the description and claims which follow are attained by means of the process embodying the present invention wherein a-monoolefins, either singly or in admixture, are readily polymerized to high molecular weight solid crystalline polymers by effecting the polymerization in the presence of a catalytic mixture of a titanium compound, a nondistillable polymeric reaction product resulting from reaction of a methylene halide with a metal from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc and magnesium, and a third component as defined herein. The titanium compound employed is desirably a titanium tetrahalide or a titanium tetraalkoxide but can be other well known titanium compounds such as a titanium oxide or mixture of oxides. The polymeric reaction product forming the other component of the catalyst mixture is the product obtained by reacting a methylene halide, such as methylene bromide or chloride with aluminum, magnesium or zinc, and is a complex material of polymeric nature Whose structure is not readily definable. The polymeric reaction product of a methylene halide and aluminum is preferred, although the other materials defined can be used with somewhat less advantageous results. Particularly good results are obtained using a titanium trichloride, tetrachloride, tetrabromide or tetraalkoxide wherein each alkoxide group contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a polymeric reaction product of methylene bromide or methylene chloride with aluminum. The polymeric reaction products obtained in this manner by substituting magnesium for aluminum also gave excellent results approaching those obtained with the aluminum compounds whereas the zinc complexes are less preferably used but gave high effective results in many cases.

The third component of the catalyst can be selected from esters of carboxylic acids, lactones (intramolecnlar esters of carboxylic acids) and organic carbonates having the structural formulas:

RCOORI,

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radicals containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, --(CH ),,COOR wherein n is a number from 0 to 4, and

-ooom R being an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and m being an integer of l to 4, and wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenyl, cyclohexyl, tetrahydrofuryl, B-acetoxyethyl and phenylalkyl wherein the alkyl radical contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

The catalytic activity of thi mixture was wholly unexpected, particularly since the mixture, in the absence of the third component, produces large amounts of oils and rubbers when propylene and higher a-monoolefins are polymerized, and the third component is not a known polymerization catalyst. The inventive process is carried out in liquid phase in an inert organic liquid and preferably an inert liquid hydrocarbon vehicle, but the process can be carried out in the absence of a diluent. The process proceeds with excellent results over a temperature range of from C. to 250 C. although it is preferred to operate within the range of from about 50 C. to about 150 C. Likewise, the reaction pressures may be varied widely from about atmospheric pressure to very high pressures of the order of 20,000 p.s.i. or higher. A particular advantage of the invention is that pressures of the order of 30 to 1000 p.s.i. give excellent results, and it is not necessary to employ the extremely high pressures which were necessary heretofore. The liquid vehicle employed is desirably one which serves as an inert liquid reaction medium.

The invention is of particular importance in the preparation of highly crystalline polypropylene, the polybutenes and polystyrene although it can be used for polymerizing mixtures of ethylene and propylene as well as other a-monoolefins containing up to carbon atoms. The polypropylene produced has a softening point above 155 C. and a density of 0.91 and higher. Usually, the density of the polypropylene is of the order of 0.91 to 0.92.

The polyolefins prepared in accordance with the invention can be molded or extruded and can be used to form plates, sheets, films, or a variety of molded objects which exhibit a higher degree of stiffness than do the corresponding high pressure polyolefins. The products can be extruded in the form of pipe or tubing of excellent rigidity and can be injection molded into a great variety of articles. The polymers can also be cold drawn into ribbons, bands, fibers or filaments of high elasticity and rigidity. Fibers of high strength can be spun from the molten polyolefins obtained according to this process.

The improved results obtained in accordance with the invention depend upon the particular combination of catalyst materials defined herein. The polymeric reaction products for the catalyst are readily prepared by reacting methylene bromide, methylene chloride, or the like with the desired aluminum, magnesium or zinc in the form of granules, turnings, or powder. The reaction proceeds readily with the evolution of heat to form nondistillable polymeric solids. In some cases, it is desirable to initiate the reaction by the addition of a crystal of iodine or preferably by the addition of a small amount of previously prepared polymeric reaction product. In some cases, it also assists the reaction to heat it initially on a steam bath. During the course of the reaction, it is usually desirable to control the heat of reaction by cooling the reaction mixture. When the evolution of heat has ceased, the reaction mixture can be refluxed to ensure completion. The nondistillable polymeric reaction product solidifies on cooling and can be used directly as catalyst for the polymerizations embodying the invention. The polymeric reaction product must be protected from atmospheric oxygen and moisture before and during use. The exact nature of the polymeric reaction products is not readily understood, and the invention will not be limited by any attempt to define the exact composition. The catalyst combination also contains one or more titanium compounds. Titanium tetrachloride and tetrabromide are preferably employed, although excellent results are obtained with the titanium tetraalkoxides containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkoxide group, such as titanium tetrabutoxide, titanium tetramethoxide, titanium tetraethoxide, and the like. Good result are also obtained using such other titanium compounds as titanium dioxide, titanium sesquioxide, and mixtures thereof.

Among the specific compounds that can be used as third components are ethyl acetate, methyl carbonate, butyl propionate, benzyl acetate, cyclohexyl formate,

'y-valerolactone, butyl oxalate, methyl succinate, isopropyl phthalate, ethylene glycol diacetate, isobutyl phenylacetate, sec-butyl formate, ethyl n-caproate, butyl benzoate, ethyl laurate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate, ethyl pelargonate, and the like.

Specific catalyst mixtures that can be used in the practice of our invention are:

(a) Polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, trichloride and ethyl acetate,

(b) Polymeric CH Br -Al reaction product, tetrachloride and methyl carbonate,

(0) Polymeric CH CI -Mg reaction product, tetrabutoxide and butyl propionate,

(d) Polymeric CH Br -Zn reaction product, trichloride and benzyl acetate,

(e) Polymeric CH Br -Mg reaction product, tetrabromide and cyclohexyl formate,

(f) Polymeric CH Cl -Zn reaction product, tetrachloride. and 'y-valerolactone,

(g) Polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, tetrapropoxide and butyl oxalate,

(h) Polymeric CH CI -Mg reaction product, trichloride and methyl succinate,

(i) Polymeric CH Cl -Zn reaction product, tetrabutoxide and isopropyl phthalate,

(j) Polymeric CH Br -Mg reaction product, oxide and ethylene glycol diacetate,

(k) Polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, tetrachloride and isobutyl phenylacetate,

(1) Polymeric cH Br -Zn reaction product, trichloride and sec-butyl formate,

(m) Polymeric cH Cl -Al reaction product, tetrachloride and ethyl n-caproate,

(n) Polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, tribromide and butyl benzoate,

(0) Polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, trichloride and ethyl laurate,

(p) Polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, trichloride and tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate, and

(q) Polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, tetrachloride and ethyl pelargonate.

titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium titanium The limiting factor in the temperature of the process appears to be the decomposition temperature of the catalyst. Ordinarily, temperatures from 50 C. to C. are employed, although temperatures as low as 0 C. or as high as 250 C. can be employed if desired. Usually, it is not desirable or economical to effect the polymerization at temperatures below 0 C., and the process can be readily controlled at room temperature or higher which is an advantage from the standpoint of commercial processing. The pressure employed is usually only sufficient to maintain the reaction mixture in liquid form during the polymerization, although higher pressures can be used if desired. The pressure is ordinarily achieved by pressuring the system with the monomer whereby additional monomer dissolves in the reaction vehicle as the polymerization progresses.

The polymerization embodying the invention can be carried out batchwise or in a continuous flowing stream process. The continuous processes are preferred for economic reasons, and particularly good results are obtained using continuous processes wherein a polymerization mixture of constant composition is continuously and progressively introduced into the polymerization zone and the mixture resulting from the polymerization is continuously and progressively withdrawn from the polymerization zone at an equivalent rate, whereby the relative concentration of the various components in the polymerization zone remains substantially unchanged during the process. This results in formation of polymers of extremely uniform molecular weight distribution over a relatively narrow range. Such uniform polymers possess distinct advantages since they do not contain any substantial amount of the low molecular weight or high molecular weight formations which are ordinarily found in polymers prepared by batch reactions.

In the continuous flowing stream process, the temperature is desirably maintained at a substantially constant value within the preferred range in order to achieve the highest degree of uniformity. Since it is desirable to employ a solution of the monomer of relatively high concentration, the process is desirably effected under a pressure of from 30 to 1000 p.s.i. obtained by pressuring the system with the monomer being polymerized. The amount of vehicle employed can be varied over rather wide limits with relation to the monomer and catalyst mixture. Best results are obtained using a concentration of catalyst of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight based on the weight of the vehicle. The concentration of the monomer in the vehicle will vary rather widely depending upon the reaction conditions and will usually range from about 2 to 50% by weight. For a solution type of process it is preferred to use a concentration from about 2 to about by weight based on the weight of the vehicle, and for a slurry type of process higher concentrations, for example up to 40% and higher, are preferred. Higher concentrations of monomer ordinarily increase the rate of polymerization, but concentrations above 5 to 10 by weight in a solution are ordinarily less desirable because the polymer dissolved in the reaction medium results in a very viscous solution.

In preparing the polymeric reaction products for the catalyst, the ratio of methylene halide to aluminum, zinc or magnesium can be varied widely, although the metal is ordinarily employed in molar excess to ensure completion of the reaction. Any unused metal can be readily separated from the molten polymeric reaction product. The molar ratio of polymeric organometallic reaction product to titanium compound can be varied widely within the range of from 1:4 to 16:1. Excellent results are obtained with approximately equal weights of the two components of the catalyst mixture or with a slight excess by weight of the titanium compound. The third component of the catalyst is preferably used in an amount within the range of 0.1 to 1 mole. The polymerization time can be varied as desired and will usually be of the order of from 30 minutes to several hours in batch processes. Contact times of from 1 to 4 hours are commonly employed in autoclave type reactions. When a continuous process is employed, the contact time in the polymerization zone can also be regulated as desired, and in some cases it is not necessary to employ reaction or contact times much beyond one-half to one hour since a cyclic system can be employed by precipitation of the polymer and return of the vehicle and unused catalyst to the charging zone wherein the catalyst can be replenished and additional monomer introduced.

The organic vehicle employed can be an aliphatic alkane or cycloalkane such as pentane, hexane, heptane or cyclohexane, or a hydrogenated aromatic compound such as tetrahydronaphthalene or decahydronaphthalene, or a high molecular weight liquid paraflin or mixture of paraffins which are liquid at the reaction temperature, or an aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene, toluene, xylene, or the like, or a halogenated aromatic compound such as chlorobenzene, chloronaphthalene, or orthodichlorobenzene. The nature of the vehicle is subject to considerable variation, although the vehicle employed should be liquid under the conditions of reaction and relatively inert. The hydrocarbon liquids are desirably employed. Other solvents which can be used include ethyl benzene, isopropyl benzene, ethyl toluene, npropyl benzene, diethyl benzenes, mono and dialkyl naphthalenes, n-octane, isooctane, methyl cyclohexane, tetralin, decalin, and any of the other well known inert liquid hydrocarbons.

The polymerization ordinarily is accomplished by merely admixing the components of the polymerization mixture, and no additional heat is necessary unless it is desired to effect the polymerization at an elevated temperature in order to increase the solubility of polymeric product in the vehicle. When the highly uniform polymers are desired employing the continuous process wherein the relative proportions of the various components are maintained substantially constant, the temperature is desirably controlled within a relatively narrow range. This is readily accomplished since the solvent vehicle forms a high percentage of the polymerization mixture and hence can be heated or cooled to maintain the temperature as desired.

The diluents employed in practicing this invention can be advantageously purified prior to use in the polymerization reaction by contacting the diluent, for example, in a distillation procedure or otherwise, with the polymerization catalyst to remove undesirable trace impurities. Also, prior to such purification of the diluent the catalyst can be contacted advantageously with a polymerizable OL-IIIOIJOOl6fi11.

Thus, by no means of this invention polyolefins such as polypropylene, the polybutenes, polystyrene, and the like are readily produced using a catalyst combination which, based on the knowledge of the art, would not be expected to produce the results obtained. The polymers thus obtained can be extruded, mechanically milled, cast or molded as desired. The polymers can be used as blending agents with the relatively more flexible high pressure polyethylenes to give any desired combination of properties. The polymers can also be blended with antioxidants, stabilizers, plasticizers, fillers, pigments, and the like, or mixed with other polymeric materials, waxes and the like. In general, aside from the relatively higher values for such properties as softening point, density, stiffness and the like, the polymers embodying this invention can be treated in similar manner to those obtained by other processes.

From the detailed disclosure of this invention it is quite apparent that in this polymerization procedure a novel catalyst, not suggested in prior art polymerization procedures, is employed. As a result of the use of this novel catalyst it is possible to produce polymeric hydrocarbons, particularly polypropylene, having properties not heretofore obtainable. For example, polypropylene prepared in the presence of catalyst combinations within the scope of this invention is substantially free of rubbery and oily polymers and thus it is not necessary to subject such polypropylene of this invention to extraction procedures in order to obtain a commercial product. Also polypropylene produced in accordance with this invention possesses unexpectedly high crystallinity, an unusually high softening point and outstanding thermal stability. Such polypropylene also has a very high stiffness as a result ,of the un expectedly high crystallinity. The properties imparted to polypropylene prepared in accordance with this invention thus characterize and distinguish this polypropylene from polymers prepared by prior art polymerization procedures.

The novel catalysists defined above can be used to produce high molecular weight crystalline polymeric hydrocarbons. The molecular weight of the polymers can be varied over a Wide range by introducing hydrogen to the polymerization reaction. Such hydrogen can be introduced separately or in admixture with the olefin monomer. The polymers produced in accordance with this invention can be separated from polymerization catalyst by suitable extraction procedures, for example, by washing with water or lower aliphatic alcohols such as methanol.

The catalyst compositions have been described above as being effective primarily for the polymerization of u-rnonoolefins. These catalyst compositions can, however, be used for polymerizing other u-olefins, and it is not necessary to limit the process of the invention to monoolefins. Other a-olefins that can be used are butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene and the like.

The following examples are illustrative of this invention.

Example 1 In a nitrogen-filled dry box 2 grams of catalyst were added to a 500-rnl. pressure bottle containing 100 ml. of dry heptane. The catalyst was made up of the polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product and titanium tetrachloride in a molar ratio of 1:1. The pressure bottle was then attached to a propylene source and the reaction mixture was agitated at 55 C. under p.s.i. of propylene pres sure for 6 hours. No solid polypropylene was produced, although 31.5 g. of oil was isolated. This oil was shown by gas chromatography to consist largely of dimer, trimer and tetramer of propylene.

Example 2 The procedure described in Example 1 was followed using 2 grams of a catalyst made up of the polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, titanium tetrachloride and sec-butyl formate in a molar ratio of 1:1:1. During the 6-hour period of agitation of the reaction mixture at C. under 30 psi. propylene pressure, there was formed 7.5 grams of highly crystalline polypropylene having a density of 0.906 and an inherent viscosity of 1.80 in tetralin at 145 C. The polymer was readily molded into a hard, clear button having a softening point of 165 to 170 C.

When the polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product in the above catalyst formulation was replaced by the polymeric CH Cl -Zn reaction product, an equally eflicient catalyst was formed, and under similar conditions the use of this catalyst resulted in the production of 7.1 grams of highly crystalline polypropylene.

Example 3 In a nitrogen-filled dry box a 500-ml. pressure bottle was loaded with 100 ml. of dry heptane and 2 grams of a catalyst made up of the polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product and titanium tetrabutoxide in a 16:1 molar ratio. The pressure bottle was then attached to a propylene source and the reaction mixture was agitated at C. and under 30 p.s.i. of propylene pressure for 6 hours. No solid propylene polymer was obtained. However, 54 grams of liquid, low molecular weight polymers were formed. Analysis by gas chromatography indicated that this product contained propylene dimers, trimers and tetramers.

Example 4 The process of Example 3 was followed using a 2-gram catalyst charge containing the polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, titanium tetrabutoxide, and butyl propionate in a 16:1:1 molar ratio. A IO-gram yield of solid polypropylene was produced. This solid polymer was extracted with butyl ether to remove a small quantity of rubbery polypropylene and then extracted with heptane to remove the low molecular weight, crystalline polypropylene. The residual 8.3 grams of polypropylene was highly crystalline: density 0.913, inherent viscosity 2.02 and softening point 163 to 168 C. Ethyl acetate, methyl succinate and ethyl laurate gave similar results when used in place of the butyl propionate.

Example 5 Inside a nitrogen-filled dry box a 280 ml. stainless steel autoclave was loaded with 0.25 gram of a catalyst having a 1:4:0.1 molar ratio of the polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, titanium tetrabutoxide and isopropyl phthalate. The autoclave was sealed, placed in a rocker and ml. (51 grams) of propylene was added. Rocking was initiated and the mixture was heated to 85 C. for 4 hours. A yield of 27.5 grams of highly crystalline polypropylene was obtained having a density of 0.915 and an inherent viscosity of 2.5. Ethylene glycol diacetate, ethyl pelargo nate and isobutyl phenylacetate when used in place of the above isopropyl phthalate produce desirable yields of highly crystalline polypropylene.

- Example 6 The process of Example 5 was followed using 3-methyll-butene as the monomer and using a total of 0.9 gram of catalyst at a polymerization temperature of C., a l5-gram yield of highly crystalline poly-3-methyl-l-butene, l-pentene,vinylcyclohexane, styrene and fluorostymer were also obtained using 4-methyl-l-pentene, l-butene, l-pentene, vinylcyclohexane, styrene and fluorostyrene as monomers.

Example 7 The procedure of Example 5 was followed except that the catalyst charge was 1 gram of a mixture of the polymeric CH Cl -Al reaction product, T Cl and tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate in a molar ratio of 12120.5. No solvent was employed and the polymerization temperature was 85 C. The crystalline polypropylene obtained had a density of 0.908 and an inherent viscosity of 1.59. Other esters which may be used in place of tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate to give similar results include methyl carbonate, benzyl acetate, 'y-valerolactone, butyl oxalate, cyclohexyl formate and butyl benzoate.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications can be eifected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appended claims.

It is claimed:

1. In the polymerization of a-monoolefinic hydrocarbon material containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms to form solid crystalline polymer, the improvement which comprises catalyzing the polymerization with a catalytic mixture containing .a polymer resulting from the reaction of a methylene halide with a metal from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc and magnesium, a titanium compound and an ester selected from the group consisting of:

o Roi xoHnsriiOR and o R( 10(CHz)zO CHa wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n is a number from O to 4.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ester selected is Itot xormniion 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the ester selected is o o Riiownmoiiotn 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the ester is ethylene glycol diacetate.

5. In the polymerization of propylene to form solid crystalline polymer, the improvement which comprises effecting the polymerization in the presence of a catalytic mixture of a polymeric methylene chloride-aluminum reaction product, titanium tetrachloride and ethylene glycol diacetate.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein titanium trichloride is used in the catalyst mixture in place of titanium tetrachloride.

7. The method according to claim 5 wherein titanium tetrabutoxide is used in the catalyst mixture in place of titanium tetrachloride.

8. As a composition of matter, a polymerization catalyst containing a polymer resulting from the reaction of a methylene halide with a metal from the group consisting of aluminum, zinc and magnesium, a titanium compound and an ester selected from the group consisting of:

o o It It nocrotnanrmlt and RCO (CHnhOHICHa wherein R is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n is a num- 5 her from 0 to 4.

9. The composition of claim 8 wherein the ester is Rot iwflnniioR 10. The composition of claim 8 wherein the ester is 10 0 m'iownmoiiom 11. As a composition of matter, a catalytic mixture for 10 the polymerization of propylene of a polymeric methylene chloride-aluminum reaction product, titanium tetrachloride and ethylene glycol diacetate.

12. A composition according to claim 11 wherein titanium trichloride is used in the catalyst mixture in place of titanium tetrachloride. K

13. A composition according to claim 11 wherein titanium tetrabutoxide is used in the catalyst mixture in place of titanium tetrachloride.

No references cited.

I. L. SCHOFER, Primary Examiner.

M. B. KURTZMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

